The other thing keeping Kosta in Wellington would be the facilities, he's said a couple of times that he sees the Phoenix training base as something that will extend his career a couple of years. Unless Auckland offers crazy money.
I hope Oli can refocus and get his form back. The true benefit of a second NZ club is that players have a second option where they don't count as a foreigner.
Kosta would be a risk for Auckland, he is a great player in the current Nix system. As an Auckland manager I would only look at Kosta once I had signed other players to see if he would fit in. But I hope they leave Kosta at Welly, I thinking stealing him would be wasteful. They have more money and more options so I think the only players they should attempt to take are the players leaving anyway (Zawada).
Contact has been made with Niko Boxall whose contract at Inter Turku runs out in a few months.
He's likely in Auckland training on the North Shore getting flogged by Coach Sunz - the AWs fitness trainer. Seems to be the NZ summer routine of the Boxall brothers, and others like Michael Woud. Sunz trains
Israel Adesanya as well.
So yeah wouldn't surprise if Corica & McFlynn (presumably both have moved to Auckland now) were talking to some of these Kiwis home for the NZ sun & bootcamps.
And I guess for Nikko Boxall specifically he knows he's no chance of getting back in the AWs, and the 2026 WC (big carrot) from a middling club in Finland. But if he played in the ALM, and actually shone, who knows he might get back in the national team frame.
Players signed up in Europe for the bigger clubs, but then loaned to AKL FC. Might not be so appealing for those players with family/roots in Europe. Probably not so bad for younger players still trying to make a mark.
But coming to Auckland fc doesn't mean your defo getting Europe. It means if you tear up A league you will probably go. Which is gonna make for some exciting football with some very hungry players. I'd much rather the signings be exciting 20 year olds desperate to crack Europe than journeymen 35 year olds who are just in it for a holiday and final pay check. Both will only stick around for a year or two anyway.
Nice system for young South American players however. Exposure to an English speaking country, the style of play that they want to play and some big ugly rough Australians to practise running around pretending they are Brits.
If Bournemouth can actually get their scouting networks anything like Brighton, imagine seeing some of that talent in the A league!!
Not a bad idea bringing in a couple of South Americans. There is a reasonable size SA community in Auckland. The 2023 stats had over 5000 South Americans immigrating to NZ(mainly Argentines). I’m sure the Argies Waiheke Island FC would get in behind an Auckland team. They are a passionate bunch, as anyone who has ever seen their supporters would agree. Auckland is one of the most diverse cities in the world. The strength of support that the new Auckland team gets really depends on how they engage with the different groups. I would love to see Bill Tuiloma as one of the first signings. That would really send a message about what the club is about.
Can I ask why the media coverage of this is so overwhelmingly positive, as opposed to the continual drumbeat of press negativity for the Nix throughout its existence? Is it as simple as all the journos live in Auckland? No, that can't be it - Auckland-based journos are known for being miserable sons of beeyotches who drag down anything new or interesting. Can it be that Foley just hires very good PR people?
Journo based in Auckland it's easy to bag anything Wellington, Foley is a rich Texan rather than Wellingon based businessmen. Wellington have done the groundwork and now the journos know about the aleague, way more than they did in 2007
I think you will find that there has always been an Auckland centered /focused media in NZ. Wellington is the provincial backwater where bad things like Government exist. As an aside Dolores, you probably have as good an opinion as anyone how this Auckland club is going to be regarded. Will the chattering classes, the hipsters, the Felicity Ferrets decide that going to see Auckland play is the “cool” must be place to be seen? Or will they wait until it’s successful and then climb on the band wagon.? Auckland loves “trends”. If it’s perceived as “hot” then everyone will be all over it.
I think you will find that there has always been an Auckland centered /focused media in NZ. Wellington is the provincial backwater where bad things like Government exist. As an aside Dolores, you probably have as good an opinion as anyone how this Auckland club is going to be regarded. Will the chattering classes, the hipsters, the Felicity Ferrets decide that going to see Auckland play is the “cool” must be place to be seen? Or will they wait until it’s successful and then climb on the band wagon.? Auckland loves “trends”. If it’s perceived as “hot” then everyone will be all over it.
Don't ask me what the "chattering classes" (by which I assume you mean the people who pay $15 for a coffee) think about anything. As to hipsters - I can tell you that there is already a small group of left-wing activists who've decided to create an Ultras group, so that should be funny! But more seriously, my vibe is that there's a small positive groundswell the among actual footballing community. One comment I've seen is "great, now my kids won't have to move to Wellington to have a career"
Even you Buff can admit that the Nix got almost zero support or coverage when they first kicked off - especially compared to the coverage Foley is getting. It's a positive thing for football in New Zealand, but one does wonder where all these so called "football interested" journos were in 2007 when Terry had his bright idea, or even when Welnix took over.
Can I ask why the media coverage of this is so overwhelmingly positive, as opposed to the continual drumbeat of press negativity for the Nix throughout its existence? Is it as simple as all the journos live in Auckland? No, that can't be it - Auckland-based journos are known for being miserable sons of beeyotches who drag down anything new or interesting. Can it be that Foley just hires very good PR people?
What on earth is there to be negative about? This signifies unprecedented progress for the entirety of NZ football
Can I ask why the media coverage of this is so overwhelmingly positive, as opposed to the continual drumbeat of press negativity for the Nix throughout its existence? Is it as simple as all the journos live in Auckland? No, that can't be it - Auckland-based journos are known for being miserable sons of beeyotches who drag down anything new or interesting. Can it be that Foley just hires very good PR people?
What on earth is there to be negative about? This signifies unprecedented progress for the entirety of NZ football
I wonder if anyone remembers the ACFC Knitting Circle, the people who accused the Nix of killing coal face football and wanted it to fail; or Dave Burgess, the journalist who did his best to take down the Nix because of his (justified) antipathy to Serepsisos. It seems those people just don't exist any more.
Can I ask why the media coverage of this is so overwhelmingly positive, as opposed to the continual drumbeat of press negativity for the Nix throughout its existence? Is it as simple as all the journos live in Auckland? No, that can't be it - Auckland-based journos are known for being miserable sons of beeyotches who drag down anything new or interesting. Can it be that Foley just hires very good PR people?
What on earth is there to be negative about? This signifies unprecedented progress for the entirety of NZ football
I wonder if anyone remembers the ACFC Knitting Circle, the people who accused the Nix of killing coal face football and wanted it to fail; or Dave Burgess, the journalist who did his best to take down the Nix because of his (justified) antipathy to Serepsisos. It seems those people just don't exist any more.
Can I ask why the media coverage of this is so overwhelmingly positive, as opposed to the continual drumbeat of press negativity for the Nix throughout its existence? Is it as simple as all the journos live in Auckland? No, that can't be it - Auckland-based journos are known for being miserable sons of beeyotches who drag down anything new or interesting. Can it be that Foley just hires very good PR people?
What on earth is there to be negative about? This signifies unprecedented progress for the entirety of NZ football
I wonder if anyone remembers the ACFC Knitting Circle, the people who accused the Nix of killing coal face football and wanted it to fail; or Dave Burgess, the journalist who did his best to take down the Nix because of his (justified) antipathy to Serepsisos. It seems those people just don't exist any more.
Whataboutery at it's finest.
Appears as though you have forgotten the "anti-nix" sentiment of yesteryear? The points raised are fair, cal;l it what you want - but I dont think anyone is expecting the same treatment to be applied to this Auckland franchise - clearly times have changed. There is no harm in highlighting the differences in the way this new Auckland franchise is being treated by the same people who bagged the Nix when Terry kicked things off.
Even you Buff can admit that the Nix got almost zero support or coverage when they first kicked off - especially compared to the coverage Foley is getting. It's a positive thing for football in New Zealand, but one does wonder where all these so called "football interested" journos were in 2007 when Terry had his bright idea, or even when Welnix took over.
I reckon the public in NZ at the time were most likely jaded from the absolute failure of the Kings & Knights - same with many journos. Maybe, just a lil bit they wanted wellington to fail as well since Auckland failed and many Journos saw the home of football as being in Auckland.
Even you Buff can admit that the Nix got almost zero support or coverage when they first kicked off - especially compared to the coverage Foley is getting. It's a positive thing for football in New Zealand, but one does wonder where all these so called "football interested" journos were in 2007 when Terry had his bright idea, or even when Welnix took over.
I reckon the public in NZ at the time were most likely jaded from the absolute failure of the Kings & Knights - same with many journos. Maybe, just a lil bit they wanted wellington to fail as well since Auckland failed and many Journos saw the home of football as being in Auckland.
I can see the team being stacked with young Aussies just like Melbourne City or Auckland sides of the past.
There are visa limits don't forget so no chance of a team of Europeans or South Americans.
There will be a few Australians. Natural with Corica & McFlynn involved. But otherwise the club statements are all about 'community' and a heavy Kiwi presence.
Seems there has already been at least 20 NZ players mentioned as realistic possible signings. Both on here and by journos. Yes acknowledging some guys are still contracted until at least 2025.
Tzanev, Woud, Sail, Marinovic, J-H Sinclair, D Wynne, Elliott, Kirwan, T Smith, TAHW, M Boxall, N Boxall, Tuiloma, Pijnaker, Zwetsloot, Howieson, L Toomey, De Jong, Rojas, Barba, J Randall, Champness, Bidois, Collier.
And don't forget Canberra are also entering the comp next season so the pool of available Aussie ALM level talent will be stretched. I see the team as definitely having a strong Kiwi core.
And yeah the idea of signing 1 or more young talented hungry Latino players, with an eye to that being their first stop on the Foley Group club pathway doesn't seem a bad concept. Getting a 20 yr old Davila (age he signed for Chelsea) rather than a 28 yr old one.
We've heard this before with Charlton and Chelsea with the Kingz and Knights. But nothing ever came of it.
I also wouldn't say it's done at City Football Group. Villa was signed for NY but was loaned out before the season and played 4 games for Melbourne. But can't really think of any other players going between any of their clubs.
Coaches also tend not to like have players signed for them either. And I think players who have aspirations to play in the PL would tend to want to go out on loan/play in a championship or L1 to play 50+ games a season rather than 30.
Part of the Wellington problem may well have been the known background of Terry and then later, Morgan’s involvement. Auckland are certainly in the honeymoon period but we know how quick things can turn.Doloras
Can I ask why the media coverage of this is so overwhelmingly positive, as opposed to the continual drumbeat of press negativity for the Nix throughout its existence? Is it as simple as all the journos live in Auckland? No, that can't be it - Auckland-based journos are known for being miserable sons of beeyotches who drag down anything new or interesting. Can it be that Foley just hires very good PR people?
Part of the Wellington problem may well have been the known background of Terry and then later, Morgan’s involvement. Auckland are certainly in the honeymoon period but we know how quick things can turn.Doloras
Can I ask why the media coverage of this is so overwhelmingly positive, as opposed to the continual drumbeat of press negativity for the Nix throughout its existence? Is it as simple as all the journos live in Auckland? No, that can't be it - Auckland-based journos are known for being miserable sons of beeyotches who drag down anything new or interesting. Can it be that Foley just hires very good PR people?
Even me as a relative newbie to NZ has noticed how much bias there is towards AKL, and it's not just sport. There are no media outlets (bar RNZ) in Wellington and it's reflected in it's coverage. I can't comment on those previous owners as it was well before my time, but seeing how the media operate in this country, I have no doubt that they just added fuel to their fire.
We've heard this before with Charlton and Chelsea with the Kingz and Knights. But nothing ever came of it.
I also wouldn't say it's done at City Football Group. Villa was signed for NY but was loaned out before the season and played 4 games for Melbourne. But can't really think of any other players going between any of their clubs.
Coaches also tend not to like have players signed for them either. And I think players who have aspirations to play in the PL would tend to want to go out on loan/play in a championship or L1 to play 50+ games a season rather than 30.
Difference between the Chelsea and Charlton connections with the kingz and knights was the lack of a common owner though. City group is a different beast entirely, Man City to Melb City would be a massive downgrade even for an 18 year old. Hibs/Bournemouth to Auckland not so much.
Part of the Wellington problem may well have been the known background of Terry and then later, Morgan’s involvement. Auckland are certainly in the honeymoon period but we know how quick things can turn.Doloras
Can I ask why the media coverage of this is so overwhelmingly positive, as opposed to the continual drumbeat of press negativity for the Nix throughout its existence? Is it as simple as all the journos live in Auckland? No, that can't be it - Auckland-based journos are known for being miserable sons of beeyotches who drag down anything new or interesting. Can it be that Foley just hires very good PR people?
Even me as a relative newbie to NZ has noticed how much bias there is towards AKL, and it's not just sport. There are no media outlets (bar RNZ) in Wellington and it's reflected in it's coverage. I can't comment on those previous owners as it was well before my time, but seeing how the media operate in this country, I have no doubt that they just added fuel to their fire.
Part of the Wellington problem may well have been the known background of Terry and then later, Morgan’s involvement. Auckland are certainly in the honeymoon period but we know how quick things can turn.Doloras
Can I ask why the media coverage of this is so overwhelmingly positive, as opposed to the continual drumbeat of press negativity for the Nix throughout its existence? Is it as simple as all the journos live in Auckland? No, that can't be it - Auckland-based journos are known for being miserable sons of beeyotches who drag down anything new or interesting. Can it be that Foley just hires very good PR people?
Even me as a relative newbie to NZ has noticed how much bias there is towards AKL, and it's not just sport. There are no media outlets (bar RNZ) in Wellington and it's reflected in it's coverage. I can't comment on those previous owners as it was well before my time, but seeing how the media operate in this country, I have no doubt that they just added fuel to their fire.
Stuff is based in Wellington.
they have offices in Wellington and Auckland and Christchurch
I remember the true anti-Nix periods, where the news would virtually celebrate during the sport section if the Nix were a bit crap.
The truth is it was from a time when most journalists had probably never attended a professional football match in their lives, and thought a gentle All Blacks clap at full time was the pinnacle of sport.
So much has changed since then. Rugby is dying. The Pheonix aren't crap anymore. The U20 and especially the WWC has shown NZ media how big football actually is. And Foley seems to be the real deal.
Can I ask why the media coverage of this is so overwhelmingly positive, as opposed to the continual drumbeat of press negativity for the Nix throughout its existence? Is it as simple as all the journos live in Auckland? No, that can't be it - Auckland-based journos are known for being miserable sons of beeyotches who drag down anything new or interesting. Can it be that Foley just hires very good PR people?
Don't worry Doloras the negative stories that you crave about Auckland FC will duly arrive. Some local club, football figure or similar feeling slighted and/ or neglected in some way. Mission impossible for even Foley's charm offensive to have all the disparate parts of the Auckland football scene happy, about the new franchise bankrolled by that Yank (as someone has already coined him).
But for the moment, it's just a really good news story for NZ football as a whole. A new pro pathway for Kiwi kids, and can't wait for the first derby game.
Be interesting to see how many Aucklanders who support the Phoenix turn their back on the club once Auckland FC are up in running. A lot of fence jumpers in kiwi society. See how many true Phoenix fans are out there. Read somewhere that there is an Auckland Ultras up in running....Anyone in Welly up for a scrap?
Be interesting to see how many Aucklanders who support the Phoenix turn their back on the club once Auckland FC are up in running. A lot of fence jumpers in kiwi society. See how many true Phoenix fans are out there. Read somewhere that there is an Auckland Ultras up in running....Anyone in Welly up for a scrap?
I think it will take at least a decade before you see a true 'rivalry' develop. The derby will definitely be a spectacle straight away but won't have the intensity of the Sydney derby straight away.
I also reckon most people outside of Wellington & Auckland will keep the Nix as their main team but support both. I'd say even Aucklanders will still enjoy seeing the Nix do well when they aren't playing one another.
I'd say this will be the case for almost all fans outside of some die-hards in Welly and Auckland - definitely the case for me anyway! More NZ football to watch! Yay!
Be interesting to see how many Aucklanders who support the Phoenix turn their back on the club once Auckland FC are up in running. A lot of fence jumpers in kiwi society. See how many true Phoenix fans are out there. Read somewhere that there is an Auckland Ultras up in running....Anyone in Welly up for a scrap?
I'd love to know if the Auckland Ultras group that apparently formed has a FB page or something for research purposes.
I'm in Hamilton so will consider season tickets for the Auckland team if I can find some like-minded individuals to carpool to games with. But I don't know if ill ever stop supporting Wellington. Its been a long time now and I've poured a lot of emotion into that support. But if your local to Auckland there is no issue in supporting the Auckland team over the Nix.
Part of the Wellington problem may well have been the known background of Terry and then later, Morgan’s involvement. Auckland are certainly in the honeymoon period but we know how quick things can turn.Doloras
Can I ask why the media coverage of this is so overwhelmingly positive, as opposed to the continual drumbeat of press negativity for the Nix throughout its existence? Is it as simple as all the journos live in Auckland? No, that can't be it - Auckland-based journos are known for being miserable sons of beeyotches who drag down anything new or interesting. Can it be that Foley just hires very good PR people?
Even me as a relative newbie to NZ has noticed how much bias there is towards AKL, and it's not just sport. There are no media outlets (bar RNZ) in Wellington and it's reflected in it's coverage. I can't comment on those previous owners as it was well before my time, but seeing how the media operate in this country, I have no doubt that they just added fuel to their fire.
Stuff is based in Wellington.
they have offices in Wellington and Auckland and Christchurch
Sure, but its head office and main newsroom is in Wellington.
